Driving under the Influence: A Review of Fitness to Drive, Drug-Induced Impairments, and Simulation Testing

This literature review examines the concept of Fitness to Drive (FTD) and its impairment due to drug consumption. Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, the paper analyzes literature from mechanical engineering and related fields to develop a multidisciplinary understanding of FTD. Firstly, the literature is analysed to provide a definition of FTD and collect methods to assess it. Secondly, the impact of drug use on driving performance is emphasized. Finally, driving simulators are presented as a valid possibility for analysing such effects in a safe, controlled and replicable environment. Key findings reveal a lack of a comprehensive taxonomy for FTD, with various assessment protocols in use. Only static simulators are employed for drug evaluation, limiting realism and result reliability. Standard Deviation of Lane Position (SDLP) emerges as a gold-standard measure for assessing driver performance. Future research should focus on developing standard definitions for FTD, and adopting dynamic driving simulators for enhanced realism. Finally, multi-drug use may represent a future research path considering more realistic scenarios.